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West Texas High Comanches tame Mustangs, improve to 5-1

The West Texas Comanches improved their season record to 5-1 with a 42-7 win over the Claude Mustangs. Claude had only lost once until last night, but the Comanches left little doubt that they were in charge of the game. The Mustangs have a huge line but WT had an answer for that with the likes of big Ty Lay, Austin Ivy, Dylan Ewing, and Shane Keasler. The Comanche offense again put up big numbers behind their offensive line with 541 total offensive yards, 441 were on the ground.Alex Ramirez ran amuck with 268 yards rushing and 100 passing. Colin Coleman also had a great game running the ball with 166 yards. Brice Martin had 91 receiving yards as Ramirez’ favorite target. Defensively, the Tribe was again beastly. Lay and Ivy were monsters on the midway, and Ewing was also key in ruining the Mustangs’ night. Ramirez, Martin, Coleman, and Justin Holmberg created havoc with the Claude passing game, sticking to their receivers like glue. Martin had an interception in the end zone during the second quarter. If my stats are correct, Claude made only two first downs.The Comanches drew first blood with 4:53 in the first quarter on a Ramirez run for 20 yards. Coleman and Ramirez had good effort on the ground, and a 16 yard pass to Martin set up the 20 yard run. The kick was good for a 7-0 lead. On the ensuing kick, the Mustangs put together their only score of the game set up by a 75 yard pass. The kick was good to tie the game at seven with 1:54 left in the first quarter. Coleman shot through a huge hole in the line for a 45 yard touchdown scamper to start the second quarter. The kick was wide left and WT led 13-7 with eight seconds gone from the second quarter. Great pressure by Lay, Ivy, and Ewing gave Claude a 4th and 35 to force a three and out....punt. The Mustangs had a great punter and WT started from their own 18. Ramirez was off to the races again, weaving in and out of traffic for the touchdown. The Comanches opted for a two point try, and Holmberg made a great catch in the back of the end zone. Their lead was now 21-7 with 9:32 left until the half.After the two teams exchanged punts, Ramirez connected with Martin for a 45 yard pass to the promised land. Ramirez’ kick was true for a 28-7 lead with 2:47 remaining until half time. The Tribe wasn’t done yet. After a three and out and another great punt by the Mustangs, WT started at their own 26. Ramirez and Coleman were the workhorses on the ground, as time was running out in the half. The clock ran out before the Comanches could get into the end zone, but a face mask penalty by Claude gave the Tribe another chance to score. Ramirez did the honors from the 2 yard line. His kick was good and the Comanches held a commanding 35-7 lead at the half.The defense stopped the Mustangs cold on the first possession of the third quarter. The combination of Lay, Ivy, and Ewing was lethal to the Mustangs and another 4th and 35 forced a punt. Starting on their own 37, Ramirez and Coleman gobbled up real estate with Coleman getting the call for the score from the one. Ramirez’ kick was true and the score was 42-7 with 5:04 left in the third.Claude made a futile attempt to get more points on the board late in the game with a field goal attempt from the 14 yard line but it was not even close. The Comanches improve to 5-1 with the win and will host Boys Ranch next week to open District play. Last week, I mistakenly identified the wrong Comanche with a fumble recovery and return for a touchdown. Chase Elliott was the player who scooped up the ball at midfield and returned it for the score.